Attachment for driving posts and the like adapted to be affixed to vehicles

ABSTRACT

A driving weight having a generally H-shaped cross section engaged on an elongated generally vertically oriented base for free vertical movement and a fluid piston and cylinder assembly affixed to said base and attachable to said driving weight through a rachet and pawl assembly so that the weight is lifted by the cylinder and piston assembly and dropped in free fall after which the piston and cylinder assembly is retracted and utilized to raise the driving weight again.

United States Patent Von Ruden [451 Apr-.25, 1972 [54] ATTACHMENT FOR DRIVING POSTS AND THE LIKE ADAPTED TO BE AFFIXED TO VEHICLES [72] Inventor: Raymond E. Von Ruden, Owatonna,

Minn.

[73] Assignee: General Equipment Co, Owatonna, Minn.

[22] Filed: Dec. 21, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 100,045

[52] U.S. Cl ..l73/l24 [5 I] Int. Cl ..E02d 7/00 [58] Field of Search ..173/53, 54, 55, 46, 124; 72/444, 453

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,844,006 7/1958 Lutz et al ..l73/124 2,882,690 4/1959 Frederick 173/ I 24 2,940,267 6/1960 Shaver 173/46 3,205,952 9/1965 Sicotte... 173/124 3,552,501 1/1971 Weiss ..l73/l24 3,565,183 2/1971 Jayne ..l73/124 Primary Examiner.lames A. Leppink Attorney-Merchant & Gould [57] ABSTRACT A driving weight having a generally H-shaped cross section engaged on an elongated generally vertically oriented base for free vertical movement and a fluid piston and cylinder assembly afiixed to said base and attachable to said driving weight through a rachet and pawl assembly so that the weight is lifted by the cylinder and piston assembly and dropped in free fall after which the piston and cylinder assembly is retracted and utilized to raise the driving weight again.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures ATTACHMENT FOR DRIVING POSTS AND THE LIKE ADAPTED TO BE AFFIXED T VEHICLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention In many instances it is advantageous to simply drive posts and the like into the ground, rather than digging post holes and setting the posts therein. Because the decision to drive a post or dig a hole and set the post depends upon the type of post, the type of ground, the use of the post, etc., it is often advantageous to have machines for driving posts as well as machines for digging post holes.

2. Description of the Prior Art A variety of prior art post drivers are described in the literature, which drivers are generally adapted to be attached to specific types of vehicles. In all instances prior art apparatus known to the inventor include driving members which are either driven downwardly by the apparatus or which are allowed to fall but must force fluid from a cylinder or in some other way counteract the device which originally raised the driver.

A typical example of prior art drivers is illustrated and described in US. Pat. No. 2,940,267, entitled Post Driver and Puller, issued to G. F. Shaver on June 14, 1960. In this patent a post driver is described which is attachable to a tractor and which includes a driving weight that is raised by hydraulic pressure and allowed to fall by releasing the pressure. Although the patentee alleges that the fluid offers no appreciable resistance to the dropping of the hammer, it is a fact that the forcing of the fluid back into a reservoir does apply some resistance to the falling of the hammer and, further, continued operation of the driver causes the hydraulic fluid to be whipped into a froth which produces many problems in the hydraulic system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains to an attachment for driving posts and the like adapted to be affixed to a vehicle including an elongated base normally oriented in a generally vertical position, said base defining track means along at least a portion thereof, driving means engaged in said track means for free movement therealong, fluid pressure means attached to said base and further connected to said driving means through a rachet and pawl arrangement which engages during upward movement of the fluid pressure means and releases at an uppermost position to allow the driving means to fall free with no connections thereto.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved attachment for driving posts and the like.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved attachment for driving posts and the like which incorporates apparatus for allowing driving means to fall freely after release so that fluid means utilized to raise the driving means do not ofier resistance thereto and are not affected by the high velocity of movement of the driving means.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the accompanying specification, claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings, wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the figures:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of a vehicle having the attachment for driving posts and the like affixed thereto;

FIG. 2 is a view in front elevation of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view as seen from the line 33 in FIG. 2, portions thereof broken away;

FIG. 4 is a view in rear elevation, portions thereof broken away;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view as seen from the line 6-6 in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The number 10 generally designates a vehicle, atypical example of which is described in detail in my co-pending application entitled "Mobile Earth Boring Machine", Ser. No. 793,852, filed Jan. 24, 1969. In this embodiment the vehicle 10 includes a frame 11 having four wheels 12 affixed thereto. A rigid generally rectangular metallic plate 13 is pivotally secured at its lower end adjacent the front edge of the frame 1 1, by means of a pair of hinges 14, for generally fore and aft swinging movements about a normally horizontal axis extending transversely of the frame 11. A fluid pressure operated cylinder 15 is pivotally connected to the frame 11 at 16 and a cooperating piston rod 17 is pivotally connected to the rear surface of the plate 13 to provide pivotal movement of the plate 13 upon fluid pressure being applied to the cylinder 15. An embodiment of the present attachment, generally designated 20, is affixed to the plate 13 for pivotal movements therewith. While a specific vehicle 10 has been illustrated with the present attachment 20, it should be understood that a variety of vehicles might be utilized and the present vehicle 10 is illustrated for its simplicity and convenience.

The attachment 20 has a base 25 including a mounting plate 26, adapted to be placed in parallel juxtaposition with the plate 13, and elongated track means 27 affixed thereto. The elongated track means 27 consists of a pair of channel irons 28 positioned generally vertically in spaced apart parallel orientation with the channels directed towards each other to form an inner track and a pair of channel irons 29 having the webs affixed to the webs of the channel irons 28 so that the channels thereof are spaced apart and directed outwardly to fonn outer tracks. The channel irons 28 and 29 are affixed to the plate 26 by means of a pair of spaced apart vertically extending brackets 30. The pair of channel irons 28 and the pair of channel irons 29 are approximately equal in length and the pair of channel irons 28 are bent slightly adjacent the upper ends thereof so that the channels diverge somewhat from the channels in the channel irons 29.

The plate 26 has a pair of vertically spaced apart bolts 35 and 36 affixed thereto so as to extend outwardly therefrom in a direction opposite to the brackets 30. The bolt 35 coincides with an opening through the plate 13 and the bolt 36 coincides with an arcuate slot 37 through the plate 13. A nut is threadedly engaged on the bolt 35 and a nut having a handle affixed thereto is threadedly engaged on the nut 36 to fixedly mount the base 25 to the plate 13. Because of the arcuate slot 37 the base 25 can be transversely positioned at varying angles to the vertical. The nuts on the bolts 35 and 36 maintain the base 25 at substantially any desired angle to the vertical. Thus, the base 25 is adjustable, transversely and longitudinally, for substantially any angle between the longitudinal axis of the base 25 and the vertical.

Driving means associated with the base 25 include an elongated driver 40 having a generally I-I-shaped cross section, as can be seen in FIG. 6. The H-shaped cross section of the driver 40 defines a first channel 41 and a second or opposed channel 42. The driver 40 is constructed so that the length thereof is somewhat shorter than the length of the base 25 and the width of the channel 41 is sufficient to receive the channel irons 28 therein. A plurality of rollers 45 are affixed to the opposed inner surfaces of the channel 41 so as to rotate about axes parallel with and spaced from the web dividing the channels 41 and 42. The rollers 45 are designed to fit within the outwardly directed track defined by the channel irons 29 and to mount the driver 40 on the base 25 for relative vertical movements therebetween.

A double-acting fluid cylinder 50 is vertically positioned between the channel irons 28 with the lower end thereof pivotally attached to a rod 51, fonning a portion of the base 25, and the upper end having a connecting rod 52, associated with a piston within the cylinder 50, extending therefrom. The outwardly directed end of the connecting rod 52 has a sleeve 53 afi'ixed thereto so that the axis is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connecting rod 52. The sleeve 53 operates as a bearing for a pair of links 55 which are mounted in parallel spaced apart relationship at each end thereof. The

links 55 extend axially outwardly from the upper end of the connecting rod 52 and are fixed together so as to remain parallel. Rollers 56 are rotatably affixed to each of the links 55 adjacent each end thereof so as to be engaged within the inner track defined by the channel irons 28. The rollers 56 guide the links 55 and the upper end of the connecting rod 52 so that the movement thereof remains parallel with the inner track formed by the channel irons 28.

A pawl, generally designated 60, is formed by rotatably mounting a sleeve 61 between the upper end of the links 55, for rotation about an axis parallel with the axis of the sleeve 53. A generally radially outwardly directed ratchet-engaging member 62 is affixed to the sleeve 61 for rotation therewith. The member 62 is constructed so that an upper surface thereof is generally horizontal when the member 62 is directed toward the web of the driver 40 and a lower surface thereof slants downwardly and outwardly from the web of the driver 40 to form a cam surface. A stop 63 is affixed between the links 55 on the side thereof directed toward the web of the driver 40 and below the sleeve 61 so as to maintain the ratchet-engaging member 62 of the pawl 60 normally directed towards the web of the driver 40. A second stop 64 is affixed between the links 55 near the upper ends thereof to limit rotation of the pawl 60 in a clockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 5. A tension spring 65 is connected between the stop 64 and the pawl 60 to maintain a counterclockwise bias on the pawl 60 (as seen in FIG. to normally maintain the ratchet-engaging member 62 of the pawl 60 against the stop 63.

A plurality of vertically spaced apart, generally horizontal bars 70 are affixed to the surface of the web of the driver 40 within the channel 41. The spaced apart bars 40 form a ratchet which cooperates with the pawl 60 attached to the end of the connecting rod 52. As fluid is supplied to the cylinder 50 to cause the connecting rod 52 to move upwardly, the pawl 60 engages one of the bars 70 and raises the driver 40 relative to the base 25. The rollers 56 attached to the links 55, which carry the pawl 60, follow the channels in the channel irons 28 while the rollers 45 affixed to the inner surfaces of the channel 41 in the driver 40 follow the channels in the channel irons 29. As the connecting rod 52 moves the pawl 60 upwardly, the rollers 56 move away from the web of the driver 40 in the diverging upper portion of the channel irons 28. Thus, the pawl 60 is disconnected from the ratchet or bar 70 and the driver 40 is allowed to fall freely. The connecting rod 52 is then retracted with the pawl 60 rotating to pass the bars 70, and the fluid supplied to the cylinder 50 is again reversed so that the connecting rod 52 moves upwardly and the pawl 60 engages a bar 70. In this fashion the driver 40 is raised to a desired height and allowed to fall freely with no need to force fluid back into a reservoir or in any other way produce a resistance to the falling thereof.

The channel 42 of the driver 40 is directed forwardly from the vehicle and is designed to receive a post or the like therein. A shelf 75 is fixedly engaged in the channel 42 adjacent the upper end thereof so as to form a horizontal or flat downwardly directed surface within the channel 42. The shelf 75 is adapted to engage the upper end of the post or the like being driven as the driver 40 falls. A pair of doors 76 are hingedly attached to opposite outer edges of the channel 42 and cooperate to enclose a relatively small portion of the channel 42 to maintain posts or the like therein. The doors 76 are hinged to the outer edges of the channel 42 so as to pivot inwardly into the channel 42 as well as outwardly therefrom. Each of the doors 76 has a pair of outwardly directed, vertically spaced apart members 77 affixed thereto, which cooperate to provide clevis-like latches. An elongated bar 78 having longitudinally spaced apart holes 79 therethrough along substantially its entire length, is designed to fit between the clevis-like members 77 and a pin is engaged through each pair of members 77 and a hole 79 through the bar 78 to maintain the doors 76 in a desired position. The particular holes 79 in the bar 78 which are utilized, determine the position of the doors 76 relative to the outer edges of the channel 42. For example, when holes 79 relatively close together are utilized the doors 76 are positioned in the channel 42 relative to the edges thereof and when holes 79 which are adjacent opposite ends of the bar 78 are utilized the doors 76 extend outwardly from the edges of the channel 42. This method of latching doors 76 is utilized so that varying sizes of posts and the like can be engaged within channel 42 and held in a relatively vertical position during driving.

Thus, an attachment for driving posts and the like which is adapted to be affixed to a vehicle is disclosed, which attachment is a substantial improvement over any prior art devices because no part of the energy of the driver 40 is utilized to force fluid back into a reservoir and, also, the relatively high speedmovement of the driver 40 as it falls free does not produce high speed movement of the fluid in the cylinder 50 and produce frothing therein. In addition to the above advantages, the present attachment is simple to construct and attach to a vehicle and is easy to operate. While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of this invention, further modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art. I desire it to be understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular form shown and I intend in the appended claims to cover all modifications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An attachment for driving posts and the like adapted to be affixed to a vehicle comprising: 7

a. an elongated base adapted to be affixed to a vehicle and normally oriented in a generally upright position, said base defining track means along at least a portion thereof;

b. driving means moveably engaged in said track means for free movement therealong;

c. a fluid cylinder and piston assembly affixed adjacent one end to said base with a free end oriented for movement generally parallel with said track means;

d. rachet and pawl means affixed to said driving means and the free end of said cylinder and piston assembly, said rachet and pawl means being oriented to engage as the free end of said cylinder and piston assembly moves upward relative to said base; and

e. trip means associated with said track means for releasing said rachet and pawl means as said driving means reaches approximately the upper end of the track means.

2. An attachment for driving posts and the like as set forth in claim 1 wherein said driving means has a generally H- shaped cross section with the base slideably engaged in one channel and the channel in the opposite side being adapted to receive a post or the like to be driven.

3. An attachment for driving posts and the like as set forth in claim 2 having in addition a pair of post retaining doors pivotally affixed to the edges of the driving means so as to enclose at least a portion of the post receiving channel.

4. An attachment for driving posts and the like as set forth in claim 1 wherein the base further defines a guide track for guiding the movement of the free end of the cylinder and piston assembly, the major portion of said guide track being parallel with the track means and the trip means including a portion of the guide track adjacent the upper end of the base diverging from the track means to separate the rachet and pawl means.

5. An attachment for driving posts and the like adapted to be affixed to a vehicle comprising:

a. elongated base means including an inner track, an outer track and means for affixing said base means to a vehicle in a generally vertical orientation;

b. driving means having a generally H-shaped cross section forming two opposed channels, one of said channels having inwardly directed rollers mounted therein with said base means being positioned in said one channel and said rollers engaged in said outer track for free vertical movement between said driving means and said base means;

c. a fluid cylinder and piston assembly having one end affixed to said base means and a free end vertically moveable in said inner track; a

d. rachet and pawl means affixed to said driving means and the free end of said cylinder and piston assembly, said rachet and pawl means being oriented to engage as the free end of said cylinder and piston assembly moves upward relative to said base; and

e. trip means including a portion of the inner track adjacent the upper end of the base diverging from the outer track to separate the rachet and pawl means and allow the driving means to fall free.

6. An attachment for driving posts and the like as set forth in claim 5 having in addition a pair of post retaining doors pivotally afiixed to the edges of the driving means so as to enclose at least a portion of the channel opposite the one channel.

7. An attachment for driving posts and the like as set forth in claim 6 wherein the pair of doors are pivotally mounted for movement relative to the edge of the channel opposite the one channel for movements into and out of said opposite channel to hold posts and the like in an upright position and locking means affixed to said doors to maintain said doors in a desired orientation. 

1. An attachment for driving posts and the like adapted to be affixed to a vehicle comprising: a. an elongated base adapted to be affixed to a vehicle and normally oriented in a generally upright position, said base defining track means along at least a portion thereof; b. driving means moveably engaged in said track means for free movement therealong; c. a fluid cylinder and piston assembly affixed adjacent one end to said base with a free end oriented for movement generally parallel with said track means; d. rachet and pawl means affixed to said driving means and the free end of said cylinder and piston assembly, said rachet and pawl means being oriented to engage as the free end of said cylinder and piston assembly moves upward relative to said base; and e. trip means associated with said track means for releasing said rachet and pawl means as said driving means reaches approximately the upper end of the track means.
 2. An attachment for driving posts and the like as set forth in claim 1 wherein said driving means has a generally H-shaped cross section with the base slideably engaged in one channel and the channel in the opposite side being adapted to receive a post or the like to be driven.
 3. An attachment for driving posts and the like as set forth in claim 2 having in addition a pair of post retaining doors pivotally affixed to the edges of the driving means so as to enclose at least a portion of the post receiving channel.
 4. An attachment for driving posts and the like as set forth in claim 1 wherein the base further defines a guide track for guiding the movement of the free end of the cylinder and piston assembly, the major portion of said guide track being parallel with the track means and the trip means including a portion of the guide track adjacent the upper end of the base diverging from the track means to separate the rachet and pawl means.
 5. An attachment for driving posts and the like adapted to be affixed to a vehicle comprising: a. elongated base means including an inner track, an outer track and means for affixing said base means to a vehicle in a generally vertical orientation; b. driving means having a generally H-shaped cross section forming two opposed channels, one of said channels having inwardly directed rollers mounted therein with said base means being positioned in said one channel and said rollers engaged in said outer track for free vertical movement between said driving means and said base means; c. a fluid cylinder and piston assembly having one end affixed to said base means and a free end vertically moveable in said inner track; d. rachet and pawl means affixed to said driving means and the free end of said cylinder and piston assembly, said rachet and pawl means being oriented to engage as the free end of said cylinder and piston assembly moves upward relative to said base; and e. trip means including a portion of the inner track adjacent the upper end of the base diverging from the outer track to separate the rachet and pawl means and allow the driving means to fall free.
 6. An attachment for driving posts and the like as set forth in claim 5 having in addition a pair of post retaining doors pivotally affixed to the edges of the driving means so as to enclose at least a portion of the channel opposite the one channel.
 7. An attachment for driving posts and the like as set forth in claim 6 wherein the pair of doors are pivotally mounted for movement relative to the edge of the channel opposite the one channel for movements into and out of said opposite channel to hold posts and the like in an upright position and locking means affixed to said doors to maintain said doors in a desired orientation. 